King Charles unveils major Buckingham Palace upgrade hailed as ‘exemplary’

Royal fans rejoiced on Monday as King Charles and his family announced an exciting new addition to Buckingham Palace in line with the Reservicing Programme, which has been underway since 2017.

As per the royal family’s X account, new lifts inside the Palace have opened, making the landmark much more accessible for those living with disabilities.

A new era of accessibility

“New lifts open at Buckingham Palace! As well as replacing core building services, the Reservicing Programme has completed lots of improvements to accessibility since it began in 2017,” their statement read. 

The message was accompanied by a short clip featuring David Bonnett, OBE, who has spent his life fighting for accessibility for disabled people.

© YouTube/The Royal Family

“Our involvement with the Reservicing Programme started in 2018, when we were asked to do what we call Access Audit. And we produced that report for the Palace, and I’m pleased to say that they incorporated many of our recommendations,” he said in the video.

“I think what the Palace has achieved is exemplary,” David declared. “And in fact it sets a new standard perhaps for buildings of this scale. Because it’s not just important for us, it’s important to thousands upon thousands of people.”

“It’s a statement about what can be done with historic buildings and sets a standard for elsewhere in the world,” he concluded.

The public’s reaction

Elsewhere in the video, it was revealed that the Palace had increased the number of toilets by 50%, and had added several more accessible toilets, including a Changing Places toilet.

© PA Images via Getty Images

The building also added accessible lifts and a ramp at the front of the Palace for wheelchair access. The renovations are expected to be completed in 2027.

The video garnered thousands of comments, with many social media users sharing their joy over the meaningful step for the royals.

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“It is such a good feeling of being welcomed and appreciated with compassionate respect to do this,” wrote one, while another added: “I am so happy to hear this is a priority for the family.”

“This is a beacon for all other countries to follow suit,” a third said, while another chimed in: “As a wheelchair user myself, I [couldn’t be] happier and I congratulate you for making it accessible to all.”

Home base

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Despite the £369 million renovations, King Charles and Queen Camilla announced their decision to reside at Clarence House, and will continue using Buckingham Palace for ceremonial and operational purposes. During the Sovereign Grant briefing in June, Keeper of the Privy Purse, James Chalmers, shared the monarch’s intentions.

“I can update you that after careful consideration, and to greatly increase opportunities for public access, the King and Queen have decided not to adopt Buckingham Palace as a personal residence and will instead continue to use Clarence House as their London home,” he explained.

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“Their Majesties will, however, have access to private rooms within the palace where they can retire during the course of a working day, and which could be utilised as potential residential accommodation in times ahead.”

“In all other ways Buckingham Palace will continue to be both the ceremonial and operational centre of royal life,” James declared. “It is and will remain Monarchy HQ, the crown jewel of our national buildings, with the sovereign’s standard flying proudly from the roof whenever His Majesty is in London, just as it has done since accession.”

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